Auburn Daily Roundtable: Tigers entering potentially ugly game with Mississippi State

The Auburn Tigers are looking to end their four-game losing streak and win their first SEC game of the Hugh Freeze era.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs will go to Jordan Hare coming off of a big against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Auburn lost to Ole Miss last weekend. Freeze and the Auburn Tigers have been looking for more of an offensive identity this season. Based on Freeze's comments this week, it's expected that we will see both Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford at quarterback this weekend.

Here is our staff's thoughts on the game:

The O/U for this game is at 43.5. Do we go over or under?

Lindsay: As State's reportedly going to be without Will Rogers, give me the under.

Zac: I’m taking the under. I think both offenses are the weakness of these teams while the defenses are playing well.

Alex: Under

Daniel: I do not think this game will hit the over. Both offenses are struggling and facing a defense that is put together.

Joshua: Considering previous contests and Auburn's current offensive production I would go under.

Steve: I’ll take the under. Not confident in either of these offenses to score.

Ben: I'll go over with a breakout at home

Shel: Under. Auburn has a fairly decent offensive showing against the Bulldogs and the defense might shutdown Mississippi State with Will Rogers out.

Jeremy: Ha is this Auburn Mississippi State? State scored once last week give me the under

Can you talk me out of believing this game will be very ugly?

Lindsay: I cannot and will not. This is what we deserve.

Zac: There’s a chance that Auburn’s offense clicks. But I’m going to bet on it being a physical game that favors the defenses.

Alex: State will be without a quarterback, so they’re gonna be playing scrap ball. And you can safely say Auburn doesn’t know what they’re doing with quarterback, so I think both teams are going to try to keep it on the ground and just get out of here with with the much-needed SEC win. I’m sure both teams will be underestimating each other so yes because of that it will be ugly.

Daniel: No. No I cannot.

Joshua: Not sure, we are entering game 8 for the season and the offense is misfiring on all cylinders. It will likely be an ugly game.

Steve: No, and based on how the season has gone so far, for both teams, I don’t expect it to look any better Saturday.

Ben: Ugly? Maybe for the first half and I believe AU runs away with it in the 2nd half with adjustments at half along with facing an ugly Miss St team

Shel: No. That’s impossible. It will be ugly no matter how many points are scored by Auburn.

Jeremy: I don’t know. Again is this Auburn Mississippi State? This game is at home for Auburn and I could see it going well.

Which quarterback plays better for Auburn?

Lindsay: I honestly don't think either one will - State's pass coverage is probably the "best" part of their defense, so that handicaps Thorne a bit, and what have these quarterbacks shown us recently to make us think they'll play well, even at home?

Zac: I think Payton Thorne will play better for Auburn.

Alex: I bet both quarterbacks play the same. With pro and cons arguing points for both that for the most part equal out.

Daniel: I think Thorne will play better. Mississippi State’s pass defense is not overly stellar so I believe Thorne will take a step forward.

Joshua: I feel Robby Ashford plays better in the running scheme for Auburn. The receivers are consistently missing the mark so Payton Thorne's accuracy means very little.

Steve: Hard to say, but I’ll go with Thorne, just because he played better last week.

Ben: This is the R. Ashford game that he can RUN ALL OVER MSU as well as hit soft spots in their secondary that proves he can actually throw

Shel: Payton Thorne will play better than Robby Ashford for the Tigers on Saturday.

Jeremy: N/A. Look, it’s a mulligan season. Freeze has been in Auburn for less than a year. It hasn’t been pretty. Any answer is wrong but I tend to favor the one who didn’t make the last mistake. Part of me prefers Thorne, but the receivers are just so bad it’s likelier going to be a struggle no matter what.

Who will be Auburn's leader in total yards, total tackles?

Lindsay: Yards is Jarquez, and tackles will be Asante.

Zac: I’ll take Eugene Asante.

Alex: It seems very much they want to get Jarquez rolling so I bet him and we’ll see with Keys coming back if he gets on that grind.

Daniel: I think Auburn’s leader in yard will be Thorne. Tackles? Eugene Asante.

Joshua: I believe Eugene Asante will lead in tackles, and Jarquez Hunter will lead in total yards.

Steve: Payton Thorne and Eugene Asante.

Ben: Battie with total yards (special teams, rushing, receiving) and on Defense: Hello Marcus Harris on tackles

Shel: Jeremiah Cobb, Eugene Asante.

Jeremy: Jarquez, Asante

If Auburn doesn't win this game, what will your reaction be?

Lindsay: Not great!

Zac: I’ll have a hard time counting six total wins on the schedule.

Alex: If they lose this game, they very much are not gonna make a bowl game, patience will be very thin. I think fans will be incredibly divided with 1/2 saying this was the wrong hire and the other half begging for patients. me personally, I will consider the year of failure even by the least optimistic of outlooks, and coming in as a touted program rebuilder and offensive coach to show just the opposite of that no matter what the excuses will be unacceptable

Daniel: If Auburn loses this game, the Birmingham Bowl becomes the ceiling for the season.

Joshua: If course I will be disappointed if they lose a 5th straight game, however I will always root for Auburn whether its good, bad, or ugly.

Steve: Utter frustration and disappointment.

Ben: Bad...AU needs this win, needs Vandy and needs NM St...AU HAS to got 3 of 4 before BAMA and this is a MUST or we will all have stuff to discuss FOR A WHILE with the meltdowns.

Shel: We’ll still be in a bowl game…maybe????

Jeremy: Whew. Let’s hope we’re not having this conversation Saturday. Say it with me; this is year zero. Auburn shouldn’t have hired Harsin.